Hi all, thanks for the most excellent adventure. Right now, I'm still living vicariously through your exploits, modifications, exploding capacitors, and land speed records for stock and modded bikes.

I'll spare you the, "what bike to buy," conundrum that I'm going through. It is a personal thing, and I think I've got it figured out. I think I'm going to shoot for an xb-600. I will not be pushing the batteries too hard, but am wondering what folks do when their batteries go bad. Let's say I get one soon, ride it for the suggested 300-500 charge cycles making sure to balance and nurture the batteries. Then they poop out anyway. Is there any reason why I would have to replace the SLA batteries with more of the same? Or should/could I go for change, and get some new ideas in the old bike. I'm envisioning some LiFePO4 batteries, complete with a new charger I imagine. Anybody got any experience?

There is certainly nothing against replacing the spent batteries with those of a different chemistry. In regards to the XB-600, you'd need to make sure that your new battery can safely provide the correct amount of max amperage (30A on an XB-600). The safe max amps is more of an issue with Lithium batteries. You also need to make sure that you get an appropriate charger.

IMHO, I think that getting an XB-600 and waiting for the batteries to die then going Li is a mixed bag. I personally am in favor of it, and planned on doing it, but am a little less enthusiastic now. My enthusiasm has been tempered by the fact that I don't think the XB-600 frame is that robust. I'm already having some issues when I hit even modest bumps on the road (no pun intended) and I'm about to roll 600 miles. I'm sure that by the time I get to 1500 or so when my batteries are due to die, it'll be in even more horrid shape.

Designed for 1500 miles? Bummer if true. My cheap walmart bike is just about to hit 1500 miles and it is good as new except for tires and brake pads. Lifepo4 battery and a wilderness bd 36, goes 25 mph for 20 miles. I do thirty miles on it about 3 days a week. Cost on it with battery and accesories is around $1500.

Say it ain't so! When you say it is falling apart...never mind, I guess I saw your thread about that. Bummer. Yeah, I'm not sure, but I think I'm more inclined to try it out for a while, then upgrade the batteries if I'm really a huge fan. Avid cyclist, but am in the mood for a little something different. I almost got a eZee hub for my bike, but decided I want to try a scooter. I would go with the xm-3000, but I am not sure I have the cash for that right now. We shall see.

Good call on the amperage...having not shopped for them, I'm not sure how hard that would be to match up. Anyone upgraded from lead to Li? Maybe someone who has been riding an xb-500 for a while? An xm-3000?